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Deputy Minister Accountabilities

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The chart describes the roles and responsibilities of Deputy Ministers in relation to different entities, including Parliament, the Courts, Ministers and officials, organizations, functional domains and other actors.

Courts

Deputy Ministers are responsible for ensuring that their departments function in a manner that is compliant with federal and provincial law. They are also responsible for ensuring that court rulings are implemented in an effective and timely manner. This includes the rulings of quasi-judicial tribunals (e.g., Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, Canada Industrial Relations Board, Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal, Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board).

Parliament

Deputy Ministers are accountable to Parliament in their role as departmental Accounting Officers. They will be asked to appear before Parliamentary Committees such as Public Accounts, Government Operations and Estimates, etc.

Deputy Ministers are also responsible for responding to the inquiries of the various Agents and Officers of Parliament as they fulfil their respective statutory duties. This includes both the provision of relevant information, as well as responding to the findings and recommendations of reports.

Agents and Officers of Parliament include:

Auditor General of Canada/Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

Commissioner of Official Languages

Information Commissioner

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner

Parliamentary Budget Officer

Privacy Commissioner

Commissioner of Lobbying

Public Service Integrity Commissioner

Chief Electoral Officer

Minister

Deputy Ministers are accountable to their Minister for providing sound public service advice on policy and implementation while effectively managing departmental operations.

Clerk of the Privy Council

Deputy Ministers are accountable to the Clerk of the Privy Council for their overall performance and the achievement of corporate priorities.

Public Service Commission

Deputy Ministers are accountable to the Public Service Commission for the exercise of their delegations under the Public Service Employment Act (e.g., staffing, promotions, competitions).

Treasury Board

Deputy Ministers are accountable to the Treasury Board for the exercise of their authorities under the Financial Administration Act (e.g., implement controls, internal audit).

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